Union representing SoCal supermarket workers takes step toward strike

By Staff Writer

Los Angeles -- The union representing many of the 62,000 workers at Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons supermarkets in Southern California has issued a required 72-hour notice of its plan to cancel its extended contract, Reuters reported. The move that could pave the way for a strike.

The union and the grocery store companies are deadlocked over healthcare coverage. Employees, who have been without a contract since it expired in March, have given the union the go-ahead to call a strike if an acceptable deal for a new contract cannot be reached. The union said grocery workers will begin final strike preparations following the 72-hour notice to cancel the contract.